Various Ailments with my Phals, and Oncidiums

[emmajs243]

VERY good point Ray! And Mountaineer....I too thought I saw sphagnum moss but then others started talking about smaller bark and I figured I missed something...

[ElfOwlLover]

Most of my orchids are in a mix of bark and sphagnum, a couple are in pure sphag. (1 oncidium and 4 phals)

[aliceinwl]

I was viewing on my phone, but I can see now that there is a lot of moss.

I guess the first step would be to figure out which of the scenarios Ray mentioned is most likely: plants are under watered or plants were over watered and the roots suffocated in the mix.

If it's the first: you can just water more. The Oncidiums should not be allowed to become completely dry. When the media is at the damp stage, water. For the Phal you can go off root color: when the roots in the pot are silver water, when they're green don't.

If it's the second, I'd recommend repotting. Personally, I've found bark based mixes to be more forgiving. I have almost all my Oncidiums types potted in small grade orchiata bark.

I water both by soaking and drenching: the plants I have outside and above the sink get drenched. The plants in other rooms get soaked. All are doing equally well, so I'd go with whatever method is most convenient.

You might also check out the sticky about gauging moisture with skewers. This doesn't work for everyone, but I found it really helpful when I started out. I still use them in some of my pots.

[Dollythehun]

In our defense, there looks to be a lot of roots in the pots however, Ray has an important point. Check your root health.

My two cents here: learn to grow what you have well before you branch out. Every grower grows differently and almost every tribe has different needs.

[Selmo]

Why do you have them in such large pots? The one looks like a bucket. They only need pots that are slightly larger than their root mass. Putting them in smaller pots may help you with your watering problems. Your oncidiums are way dehydrated. Don’t know if it is, as several people have said, not enough live roots or all dead roots. But they are not getting enough water. Oncidiums like water when they are growing, placing a small saucer under the pot, can help keeping them hydrated. Repotting in a smaller pot and putting a sandwich bag over the top of it, to keep the humidity up, until it can grow more roots, may help too. More light could help too, but watch sticking it in a window and cooking them in their bags. This will take some time and effort, but you can get them to grow and bloom again, best of luck

[ElfOwlLover]

I moved them under some grow lights, and repotted them into smaller pots, using a mix of bark and sphagnum. I also added a layer of sphagnum to help keep in a bit of extra moisture.

[emmajs243]

I feel like that is excellent advice Dolly! About learning to grow one type of orchid before moving on to the next. Last order I placed I was REALLY tempted to get a bunch of new different types of orchids but I stopped myself and decided to stick to my cattleya Alliance orchids until I am confident with them and have a good handle on their needs.

I almost didn't...then it hit me...."Emma, you are challenged enough with Catts and learning from them...You can't handle having five new types of orchids all at once!"

So instead I got one little Dendrobium on sale so I could dip my toe in there! I had ordered a Tulomnia Jarik Flyer BUT today I changed it. Eventually I will buy my flyer but I literally had never even heard of that type of orchid before seeing it for sale and decided to stick to what I have heard of at LEAST!

PLUS! I am still perfecting my setup and THAT alone is challenging enough to figure out!!!

[aliceinwl]

I guess I’m the opposite. Especially with big box store orchids: I assume most will treat them like cut flowers and pitch them when the blooms fade. So, if I like it and the price is right I buy it, and I figure it has a better chance of survival with me than most people.

Once I get it home, I do a bit of research and try to set it up for long term survival. So far, I’ve had almost no deaths, a diverse collection that I’m really happy with, and a lot of new favorites. I think either approach has its merits provided potential losses are not going to be a financial or emotional hit.

[emmajs243]

Ya that is true with big box stores! Definitely agree there. I know a lot around here just chuck them once their blooms die so often I will buy one I like for that reason! Thats how I ended up with my Cymbidium although I still really am not sure if I am doing the right stuff for it! She has a new growth so I can't be giving her terrible care...Hopefully!